As of 11:30 a.m. this morning, the official Mega Millions jackpot estimate for the drawing to be held at 10 p.m. tonight, has been raised to $1 billion, which would offer a $565.6 million cash payout. Just yesterday, the jackpot was increased to $970 million, with a cash option of $548.6 million.
If there is a winner, this would be the largest jackpot in Mega Millions history, with the closet occurring in March 2012 in which there were three winning tickets — one each in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland. The 2012 jackpot had an estimated annuity value of $65million with a cash option of $474 million payout.
While there have been several Kentucky winners receiving prize amounts in thousand dollar increments, and, just this week, a $1 million ticket purchased in Madisonville, there has never been a Kentucky Mega Millions jackpot winner. Perhaps tonight is the night.
